Lawn Biodiversity

The focus of the project is the development of built lawns and their biodiversity by modifying the standard guidelines for the green field, and monitoring the biodiversity of the implemented test areas for four years. In this way, the results target the working methods of practical landscaping in increasing the biodiversity of lawns, as well as the measured impacts of different effects.

Mitigation of biodiversity loss also requires action on the built environment and especially in established management practices in the landscape industries. Turning lawns into meadows seems to be an easy and a common proposal for increase biodiversity. Biodiversity is based on the abundance of plant species that create a diverse habitat for soil organisms and other invertebrates whether they move by flying or along the ground.

However, the lawn is built specifically for vibrant lawn growth, where regular mowing is an assumed method of care. The substrate is water- and nutrient-retaining and its usage resistance has been adjusted with mineral content and granularity. A well-established lawn does not turn into a meadow by itself, but may push only the couch grass and thistle when uncut.

How can a lawn be turned into a diverse meadow? What is the biodiversity of it?

Operating region

Lepaa.